Friday, February 14, 2014

And welcome to part 2 of this Peter Pan inspired storybook wedding shoot! You'll notice some more reception details...most notably the table setting, cake cutting and the happy couple themselves (Peter and Wendy, of course!).

Thursday, February 13, 2014

What could be sweeter than a Peter Pan inspired wedding shoot for Valentine's Day? I had the privilege of being involved in this glorious styled shoot with Andy Sams Photography and Pink Parasol Designs. We meet Tinkerbell in Part 1 and some of the beautiful reception details. Tune in tomorrow for Part 2...where we'll meet the happy couple, Wendy and Peter.

Wednesday, January 9, 2013

Happy New Year everyone! I know it's been a while since I've been seen in these parts. And I missed Christmas, my favorite holiday. Especially for crafting! I made absolutely nothing this year. However, we did get our tree up. But, it doesn't really count since we left it put up in the guest room all last year. So we just dragged it to the next room.Well, I wanted to share some good news with you all! It was a crazy Christmas season, my best so far in my Viva Revival shop on Etsy. And here I was looking for a nice rest after the holiday season and come to find out I had the good luck to land on the front page for a week! Don't ask me how, I had no warning (nor did I pay, lol). But, it's the best thing to ever happen to my shop and I am so grateful for this wonderful blessing!

Friday, November 30, 2012

We've all been spoiled. We've been spoiled by discounts of 25%-50%-and up to 75% off by huge bigbox retailers. But, do you know something? These items have a huge markup. They are made to be discounted. These stores buy thousands of items and receive huge discounts in return.

My mom once owned a retail store. We didn't receive those kinds of discounts because we were a small fish. And that store doesn't exist anymore because we couldn't provide 75% off. It's the same with handmade. Except that we have to buy the materials and also spend our time making the items. We don't have the 'luxury' of sending our designs off to a country where their cost of living is so low that they can work for pennies. Or sending our designs off to sweatshops that in our civilized societies of 2012 still get busted.

The other day I received an e-mail from someone asking for a discount on one of my least expensive items. They wanted the 'starving student' discount. I offered them free shipping since my promotion had just ended that morning. And that wasn't good enough and they still continued to ask for more of a discount. And why? Because you're there? Because for some reason I've never met you-you've never bought from me-but I should make an item for you-but I don't deserve to make a profit whatsoever? I have more self-worth than that and so should more people in the handmade community. I see items on Etsy so often that are so low I wonder how they even pay for their supplies. Much less their time.

Well, I'm a 'starving artist' working 2 jobs, as many people are that create. And I don't feel that I should make less than anyone else at their job. Would it be okay if your employer asked you for a discount on your salary for the day? I like making jewelry, but I don't want to do it for free. If I did, I wouldn't spend the time taking photographs and listing items. I think some don't realize the work that goes into that as well.

Sales are great. But, there's a limit. There's only so much of a discount any of us can provide. All I'm asking is for you to think about asking for extreme discounts from handmade sellers, particularly on Etsy-especially when you've never even purchased from this person before. If you must have a sale to buy an item then like their Facebook page, follow them on Twitter, etc. to find out when they'll be having a sale.

I've always tried to keep my prices reasonable, I don't want to gouge anyone. But, this week had made me feel that I should act like any other retail outlet, markup really high and then discount huge. But, that doesn't seem fair to me. It seems like a lie. I want to continue running an honest business and treating each customer fairly-not giving one 'special' person a discount, but not another.

I'm not Claire's, I'm not Forever 21 and I don't want to compete with them. I make my items, I don't source them from third world countries. Each items is made one at a time. And I deserve to be able to pay my rent. And so do thousands of other handmade sellers.

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Happy Thanksgiving ya'll! That's a bit of my Texas heritage peeking through. Here's a little snapshot (literally) of our pumpkin patching extravagaaaaanzaaa! This year they had pink and blue pumpkins. We bought a blue pumpkin and as it turns out, it's edible. But, we haven't dared yet. I love any kind of squash so I couldn't help but taking home a few brightly colored specimens.

Monday, November 19, 2012

David really wanted to get a fall wreath for our door. I was feeling crafty and said, 'I can do it myself! Why buy a pre-made one??' So we found this cute little door hanger basket at Michael's along with a lot of super cheap fall decorations. So after a few times of throwing this basket against a wall, David and I finished our little Thanksgiving door hanger.What you need:1. A bunch of fall flowers and picks. Remember: It's not fall without a pumpkin in there somewhere.2. Some cute little owls with glue cobwebs hanging from their eyes (that’s how you know you got a good deal).3. A twiggy basket that will poke your fingers 1,000 times.What to do:Step 1: Just throw everything in the basket. DO NOT cut the flowers at all. Just stick it all in there and call it a day. No need for glue or floral foam.Step 2: Throw it against the fall a few times because you don't like it.Step 3: Let your husband do it. He'll cut the flowers and place them like so. Ta-da!